Mt. Olive man dies Monday after being thrown from motorcycle

MT. OLIVE — For the second time in as many days Monday, a motorcycle rider died following a crash in which the rider was ejected from his motorcycle.

Robert Welsh, 47, of Mt. Olive was pronounced dead after being transported to Staunton Hospital by Mt. Olive EMS following the crash Monday evening. The crash occurred at 5:14 p.m. Monday.

According to a release from Illinois State Police District 18 Trooper Heath Bryan, Welsh was southbound on U.S. Route 66 near Mt. Olive Road when he attempted to pass on the left a John Deere tractor, which was making a left turn onto Mt. Olive Road. Welsh’s motorcycle struck the tractor, and Welsh was thrown from the bike.

The tractor driver reported no injuries.

Route 66 was shut down for approximately 3.5 hours as a result of the crash. Other agencies on scene were Mt. Olive Fire Department, Staunton Fire Department, Staunton EMS, Arch Air Medical Service, Mt. Olive Police Department and Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash is under investigation by the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit.